In December 2025, the basic food basket became more expensive in 17 Brazilian capitals. The conclusion is from the National Food Basket Survey, a survey published monthly by the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese), together with the National Supply Company (Conab). The only capital where the average price did not vary was João Pessoa. In other capitals, there was a drop.
The most important increase occurred in Maceió, where the average cost of the basket varied 3.19%. Next comes Belo Horizonte, with an increase of 1.58%; Salvador (1.55%); Brasília (1.54%); and Teresina (1.39%).
The most significant drops were observed in the northern region of the country, with Porto Velho leading the list (-3.60%), followed by Boa Vista (-2.55%), Rio Branco (-1.54%) and Manaus (-1.43%).
One of the main reasons for the increase in the price of the basket was premium beef, which rose in 25 of the 27 capitals. According to those responsible for the research, the rise in the price of meat can be explained by the increase in internal and external demand and the restricted supply of the product.
Potato is high
Potatoes also rose in all capitals, with the exception of Porto Alegre, where the price of the product fell 3.57%. In Rio de Janeiro the increase reached 24.10%. This increase can be explained by the rain and the end of the harvest.
The most expensive basic food basket in the country continues to be São Paulo, where the average cost reached R$845.95, followed by Florianópolis (R$801.29), Rio de Janeiro (R$792.06) and Cuiabá (R$791.29). In cities in the North and Northeast, where the composition of the basket is different, the lowest average values were recorded in Aracaju (R$ 539.49), Maceió (R$ 589.69), Porto Velho (R$ 592.01) and Recife (R$ 596.10).
Based on the most expensive basket in the country, which in December was São Paulo, and taking into account the constitutional determination that establishes that the minimum wage must be sufficient to cover expenses with food, housing, health, education, clothing, hygiene, transport, leisure and pensions, Dieese estimated that the minimum wage in December should be R$7,106.83 or 4.68 times the minimum of R$1,518.00.
